Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 31

Verse 1

these words. The Massorah itself, with Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all these words". This is the beginning of the seventh address, which ends with Deuteronomy 31:6 .

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 3

the LORD = Jehovah. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ) in this verse, which in the Hebrew text begins and ends with "Jehovah".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

as = according as. Compare the references to past statements: Deuteronomy 2:9 ; Deuteronomy 3:28 . Exodus 23:20 , Exodus 23:23 ; Exodus 33:2 .Numbers 27:15-23 .

Verse 4

And the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. Note Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ) in verses: Deuteronomy 31:4 , Deuteronomy 31:5 , each beginning with these words.

Verse 6

Be strong, &c. Compare verses: Deuteronomy 31:7 , Deuteronomy 31:23 .Joshua 1:6 , Joshua 1:9 , Joshua 1:18 ; Joshua 10:25 . 1 Chronicles 22:13 ; 1 Chronicles 28:20 . 2 Chronicles 32:7 . Isaiah 35:3 , Isaiah 35:4 .

He will not fail, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 4:31 .Joshua 1:5 . 1 Chronicles 28:20 . See note on Deuteronomy 4:31 . This is the end of Moses' seventh address.

Verse 7

go with = bring in.

Verse 9

wrote. See note on Exodus 17:14 .

the priests, &c. = the Kohathites. Numbers 4:1-15 .

Verse 10

At the end, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 15:1 .

solemnity = appointed time. Hebrew. mo'ed.

year of release. So called in Deuteronomy 15:9 . The "release" is referred to in Deuteronomy 15:1 , Deuteronomy 15:2 , Deuteronomy 15:3 . The noun "release" occurs only in these two passages. The verb occurs in Exodus 23:11 .

tabernacles = booths.

Verse 11

to appear. See note on Exodus 23:15 with Exodus 34:20 .

read this law. Compare Deuteronomy 16:13-15 , and see Nehemiah 8:1-18 .

Verse 12

children = little ones.

Verse 13

children = sons.

your God. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices and four early printed editions, read "their God".

as long as = all the days.

Verse 14

said. See note on Deuteronomy 2:9 .

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 . The only reference to it in Deuteronomy.

Verse 15

pillar of a cloud. The only reference to it in Deuteronomy.

door = entrance.

Verse 16

shalt sleep with thy fathers = shalt lie down to sleep. A beautiful Euphemism ( App-6 ) for death. This is the first occurrence. It is used alike of good people and evil: of Ahab as well as David; of all the kings, even Jehoiakim, who had no burial. See 2 Samuel 7:12 . 1Ki 1:21 ; 1 Kings 2:10 ; 1 Kings 11:21 , 1Ki 11:43 ; 1 Kings 14:20 , 1 Kings 14:31 ; 1Ki 15:8 , 1 Kings 15:24 ; 1 Kings 16:6 , 1Ki 16:28 ; 1 Kings 22:40 , 1 Kings 22:50 ; 2Ki 8:24 ; 2 Kings 10:35 ; 2 Kings 13:9 , 2Ki 13:13 ; 2 Kings 14:16 , 2 Kings 14:22 , 2Ki 14:29 ; 2 Kings 15:7 , 2 Kings 15:22 , 2Ki 15:38 ; 2 Kings 16:20 ; 2 Kings 20:21 ; 2Ki 21:18 ; 2 Kings 24:6 . 2 Chronicles 9:31 ; 2Ch 12:16 ; 2 Chronicles 14:1 ; 2 Chronicles 16:13 ; 2Ch 21:1 ; 2 Chronicles 26:2 , 2 Chronicles 26:23 ; 2Ch 27:9 ; 2 Chronicles 28:27 ; 2 Chronicles 32:33 ; 2 Chronicles 33:20 .

go a whoring. The constant idiom for idolatry.

Verse 17

shall be kindled. Compare 2 Kings 22:17 . Hosea 5:3-6 . Micah 3:4 .

hide My face. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, add "from them". Compare Deuteronomy 32:20 . Isaiah 8:17 ; Isaiah 54:8 ; Isaiah 59:2 ; Isaiah 64:7 . See also Genesis 4:14 .

evils. See App-44 .

befall = find. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia ( App-6 ).

Are not. ? &c. Should be "Have not these evils found me out, because my God is not in my midst? "

Verse 19

this song. First reference to the "Song of Moses". See Deuteronomy 32:0 . The last in Revelation 15:3 .

teach it. To be both written and taught. Compare Deuteronomy 31:22 .

Verse 20

into the land = on to the soil. Hebrew. 'adamah.

Verse 21

this song. Second mention of this Song.

testify against = answer them to their face.

not be forgotten. This song quoted and referred to more than any other part of Pentateuch.

I sware. The Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac add "unto their fathers".

Verse 22

this song. The third reference to it.

Verse 23

He: i.e. Jehovah.

Verse 24

in a book. See App-47 . This was the "book" found by Hilkiah. 2 Kings 22:8 . 2 Chronicles 34:14 .

Verse 25

the Levites = Kohathites, Deuteronomy 31:9 .

Verse 26

this book of the law. See the effect of finding it by Jeremiah's father, 2 Kings 22:8 , and note the references to it in verses: Deuteronomy 31:13 , Deuteronomy 31:16 , Deuteronomy 31:17 . Compare also 2 Kings 23:1-3 with Deuteronomy 29:1 ; and Deuteronomy 31:21 with Deuteronomy 16:1-8 ; and Deuteronomy 31:24 with Deuteronomy 18:10 , Deuteronomy 18:11 ("put away" occurs only in Deut.); and Deuteronomy 31:25 with Deuteronomy 30:10 .

in , or by.

Verse 28

heaven and earth. One of the thirteen occurrences. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

Verse 29

I know. Compare Acts 20:28 , Acts 20:29 .

the latter days. Compare Genesis 49:1 (Numbers 24:14 ). Used by Moses, Deuteronomy 4:39 . Found also in Jeremiah 23:20 ; Jeremiah 48:47 ; Jeremiah 49:39 . Ezekiel 38:16 . Hosea 3:5 .Micah 4:1 .

the work, &c, viz., idolatry and other evils.

Verse 30

Moses spake. Beginning of his eighth address.

this song. The fourth reference to it. It is the key to the Apocalypse, Revelation 15:3 . See note on Exodus 15:1 .